osage orange?

hoythunter48 · 02-07-2002, 03:15 PM

ive heard osage orange trees were good for making bows and thers a big one where i live only one i know of do i have to cut the whole tree down to get staves? or can i just cut off a big limb and how big aorund would it have to be? i wanna try my hand at makin a bow

lamb1647 · 02-07-2002, 05:27 PM

I am by no means an expert, but from what I have read, you do NOT want a limb. You want the main trunk of the tree and preferrably a rather straight section at least 6 feet long with no branches coming off in the section of the tree. I believe the tree needs to be around 8" or larger in diameter. Maybe some of the bow builders can add more light to your question.

Bill

Grey Taylor · 02-07-2002, 07:26 PM

Osage is good, some say the best. But not all osage trees are suitable for bows due to twist or other factors.

For your first bow(s) may I suggest that you purchase suitable staves from a reputable vendor rather than cut down a tree that may not work well. Once experience is gained the tree will still be waiting.

PowDuck · 02-08-2002, 06:19 AM

Go with Grey's advise. Besides all that, once the tree IS down and a stave roughed out, then you've got to let the wood cure for a spell. Get something you can get your hands on now to cure the bug.

Romans 8:28

Cliff_N_Di · 02-08-2002, 08:06 AM

Osage is a very good wood from what Ive been told by the guy who is teaching us how to build selfbows..but since there is no good wood here in utah he's been teaching us by using Red oak boards, and I can say it has been fun watching a board get turned into selfbow, and dang they can shoot preety dang good!

Dianna

hoythunter48 · 02-08-2002, 02:06 PM

anybody know where i can purchase staves online? or where can i get em at? and would you reccomnd a easier type of wood for beginners?

lamb1647 · 02-08-2002, 03:05 PM

Go to www.bowjackson.com and check-out the various suppliers. Alternative Bow Woods is one off the top of my head. But there are others. Others that have made bows can give you a better recommendation of woods that are easy to work with for your first bow. I have read that ash or hickory are easy to work with, but I don't know from personal experience.

Good luck!

Bill

Wistiwasi · 02-08-2002, 04:41 PM

If the tree has large enough branches then take a branch. You would want something at least 3 to 4 inches in diameter and relatively free of any knots for a distance of at least 5 feet, 6 feet even better. A branch will have what is called reaction wood and it has been said that reaction wood can have greater compressive strenght.

Floxter · 02-08-2002, 06:15 PM

Try these sources for Osage:

www.bowstaves.com
www.osageorange.com

Jack